Last Company does not give References what to do at an interview

ciarano

Hi.

The Last Company i worked for does not give References??Example below.

what do i say at an interview when references are requested?Looks shady when i cant give reference for previous employer.


" Hi C***, how are you?i hope you are doing well.
Today I have received a call requesting references for you and I did so but please note that in the future unfortunately I will not be able to give anymore references as this is against a**** policy.i hope you will understand and I wish you all the best to succeed in your job search."

Mr. Loverman

You just tell them they don't give references, but they are welcome to ring them and try.

ciarano

Great Thanks Mr L :cool:

bee06

Do they confirm your dates of employment? This is the case in my current company. If so tell your potential new employer your company has the policy to only do this.

If they won't confirm anything you could say you can provide your most recent P60 which should have your start date.

Fitzerella

Most companies now a days will only by law (a new one that was introduced) can confirm you worked in that company from x date to x date.

srsly78

What law? They are afraid of being sued for defamation you mean, which isn't the same thing. There is always "damning with faint praise" as well.

DM addict

My last place won't give character or performance references, but will give a statement of employment in writing. They will also confirm the details of it over the phone. They usually also have someone in HR who's never met the employee going "I'm not sure, I can't comment, I see no reason why not" to any more probing questions. Apparently it's their policy.

Would your last company do that? It might be sufficient.

Greenmachine

Pretty funny when an employer looks for glowing references from your previous employer, but refuses to give any themselves. It has a hint of sour grapes about it.

Chattastrophe!

Could they possibly be p*ssed off that they got this call without you asking them in advance?

My old company (a very large accountancy firm) have a strict policy of no references. However my manager there was willing to give an (excellent) off-the-record reference, over the phone, to my new employer.

I absolutely wouldn't have considered giving his name and number, though, until I actually had the job offer. So he only got one call, which was expected, and at a time that was convenient to him.

ciarano

Thats what im doing also getting a Manger or Colleague to vouch for me unofficial reference as company either dont give references Or pending on size of company and have many people in HR probably dont remember you

BELOW SUMS IT UP ABOUT RIGHT

"Pretty funny when an employer looks for glowing references from your previous employer, but refuses to give any themselves. It has a hint of sour grapes about it"

Chattastrophe!

ciarano wrote: »

Thats what im doing also getting a Manger or Colleague to vouch for me unofficial reference as company either dont give references Or pending on size of company and have many people in HR probably dont remember you

I'm a bit confused.

Had you or had you not approached the person in question and asked whether he'd be willing to give you a reference?

Because, if you hadn't done so, he was very kind to do so on the spot, and dead right to let you know it was a once-off favour not to be repeated!

ciarano

Of course i contacted them directly and explained jaysus youd be mad and rude not to do so plus could backfire

Chattastrophe!

ciarano wrote: »

Of course i contacted them directly and explained jaysus youd be mad and rude not to do so plus could backfire

So ... you're saying that you contacted him in advance, sought and received permission to use him as a reference, but then when contacted by a potential employer he sent you the above e-mail.

Odd? Can't you ask him what the story is, if you'd already agreed with him that he'd act as reference?

Is there someone else in the company that you could approach?

ciarano

Thanks for all the replies folks